Title: Finite element concept modelling methodologies for pickup truck boxes

Authors: Gary M. Osborne, Glen Prater Jr., Ali M. Shahhosseini

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. ' Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. ' Department of Electronics, Computer, and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA

Abstract: There are two distinct Finite Element model classes supporting vehicle body design. The familiar detailed model, achieving accuracy by precisely simulating geometry and assembly interfaces, is useful for conducting trade-off studies after detail drawings become available. Architecture concept models, representing structural behaviour from major load-carrying members and joint layout, are valuable for early vehicle development design direction studies. This paper presents a generic vehicle body concept modelling process and compares three joint model representations. Joint representation limitations are discussed, and the joint methods| NVH results are compared with those from a detailed model. The conclusions are applicable to other structures of similar nature.

Keywords: vehicle architecture; truck design; vehicle optimisation; pickup box; vehicle concept modelling; finite element analysis; FEA; puckup trucks; vehicle body design; cargo box.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2010.029620

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2010 Vol.17 No.1, pp.1 - 17

Published online: 30 Nov 2009 *

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